UPDATE (9:02 a.m.) - Police say the 9-year-old was found safe and returned home Wednesday morning.
The department's detective bureau responded to take over the investigation Tuesday night.
Police did not release information on where the girl was found.
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ORIGINAL STORY: Santa Maria police are asking for help locating a missing 9-year-old girl.
Police say Blanca Rafael Martinez was last seen at around 5 p.m. Tuesday in the area of 700 S. Western Avenue.
She’s described as being about 3’2’’ tall and weighing 50 pounds with black hair and dark-colored eyes. She was last seen wearing a purple and blue dress, according to police.
Officers have been knocking on doors in the area overnight looking for Martinez. She was still missing as of 5:15 a.m., according to police.
Police ask anyone who thinks they may see her or knows where she is to contact the department at (805) 928-3781 x 2277.
